Israel to begin direct talks with Lebanon on disarming Hezbollah: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that he has instructed his cabinet to begin direct talks with Lebanon "as soon as possible" to disarm Hezbollah and establish "peace relations" between the two countries. This comes a day after Israel launched deadly strikes on Lebanon across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern part of the country, which killed over 200 people.

According to news agency AFP, Israeli media outlets reported that Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the US, would represent the country in the



talks.

According to Netanyahu's office, the talks would focus on "disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon." "In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible," his office said in a statement.

"Negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace relations between Israel and Lebanon. Israel appreciates today's call by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarize Beirut," the statement added.